Body fluid component analyzing system

ABSTRACT

A body fluid component analyzing system in which even if the lot of sensor chips is changed, parameters can be calibrated without changing memory keys. The system comprises a measurement instrument body having calculating means for calculating a characteristic of a component, a container containing a sensor chip for sensing a characteristic of at least one component of a body fluid, and a case in which the measurement instrument body and the container are set. The calculation parameter(s) of one or more sensor chips can be automatically transferred to the measurement instrument body by transfer means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a body fluid component analyzing systemfor quantitatively or qualitatively analyzing components of a bodyfluid, such as glucose, hemoglobin, etc. More specifically, the presentinvention is concerned with a body fluid component analyzing systemincluding a measuring instrument having processing means, which isconnected to a sensor chip having a reactive member for reacting with acomponent of a body fluid depending on characteristics thereof, forprocessing the characteristics of the component, a sensor storage unitsuch as a sensor container or the like for storing or packaging sensorchips, and a storage case for storing the measuring instrument and thesensor storage unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, it has been customary to pierce the skin of a finger, anarm, an ear, or the like, sample a small amount of blood through thepierced skin, and measure various components of the blood using thesampled blood. Particularly, the measurement of a blood glucose level ina diabetic patient is important for monitoring the state of the diabeticpatient. It has been recommended for the patient to perform a selfglucose monitoring process to monitor daily blood glucose level changes.In view of a growing number of diabetic patients in recent years, therehas been a demand for measuring processes and measuring means that aresimple and painless.

Blood glucose levels are often measured using the reaction of an enzymesuch as glucose oxidase, glucose dehydrogenase, or the like to oxidizeglucose. At present, the measurement of a blood glucose level isperformed by a blood glucose measuring device according to acolorimetric process for setting in place a test paper which produces acolor depending on the amount of blood glucose brought into contacttherewith, supplying the test paper with the blood to cause the testpaper to give a color, and optically measuring the grade of the color toquantify the blood glucose level (see, for example, Japanese PatentLaid-open No. Sho 63-101757), or an electrode process for electricallymeasuring a product resulting from the enzymatic reaction referred toabove (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 60-17344).

According to the above measuring processes, a dedicated skin-piercingtool, i.e., a needle-like or knife-like piercing means known as alancet, is used to form a cut in the skin of a patient's finger or thelike to allow a body fluid such as the blood to bleed, and the bodyfluid is transferred to a separately prepared test chip having a testpaper or an electrode sensor or the like, and then measured by the bloodglucose measuring device (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-openNo. Hei 7-167786).

For correcting variations of test papers or electrode sensors whichoccur from production lot to production lot, there have been known asystem for recording a parameter for correcting sensor performancevariations in a sensor chip (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-openNo. Hei 7-209242) and a system for using a memory key recording aparameter depending on the production lot of sensor chips and loadingthe memory key into a measuring device to read the parameter into themeasuring device (see, for example, Japanese Translations of PCT forPatent No. Hei 8-502590 and Japanese Translations of PCT for Patent No.Hei 11-510915).

If the memory key is used, however, the memory key needs to be replacedeach time a sensor chip of a different production lot is employed.Therefore, it is awkward for the user to use the memory key.

The present invention solves the problems of the above prior art. It isan object of the present invention to provide a simple body fluidcomponent analyzing system which does not require the user to replace amemory key each time a sensor chip of a different production lot isemployed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The above object can be achieved by structures (1) through (11) of thepresent invention as described below.

(1) A body fluid component analyzing system according to the presentinvention includes a sensor chip for detecting characteristics of atleast one component of a body fluid, a measuring instrument havingprocessing means, to which the sensor chip is adapted to be connected,for processing the characteristics of the component, a sensor chipstorage unit for storing or packaging at least one the sensor chip, astorage case for storing at least the measuring instrument, parameterrecording means applied to or indicated on the sensor chip storage unit,for recording at least one parameter used when the processing means ofthe measuring instrument processes the characteristics, parameterreceiving means provided in the measuring instrument, for receiving theparameter recorded by the parameter recording means, and transfer meansfor transferring the parameter recorded by the parameter recording meansto the parameter receiving means disposed in the measuring instrumentwhile at least the measuring instrument is being stored in the storagecase.

(2) A body fluid component analyzing system according to the presentinvention includes a sensor chip for detecting characteristics of atleast one component of a body fluid, a measuring instrument havingprocessing means, to which the sensor chip is adapted to be connected,for processing the characteristics of the component, a sensor chipstorage unit for storing or packaging at least one the sensor chip, astorage case for storing the measuring instrument and the sensor chipstorage unit, parameter recording means applied to or indicated on thesensor chip storage unit, for recording at least one parameter used whenthe processing means of the measuring instrument processes thecharacteristics, parameter receiving means disposed in the measuringinstrument, for receiving the parameter recorded by the parameterrecording means, and transfer means disposed in the storage case, forreading and transferring the parameter recorded by the parameterrecording means to the parameter receiving means disposed in themeasuring instrument while the measuring instrument and the sensor chipstorage unit are being stored in the storage case.

(3) The transfer means is detachably disposed in the storage case.

(4) The parameter represents calibrating information for correctingvariations of the performance of the sensor chip.

(5) The transfer means transfers the parameter while the measuringinstrument and the sensor chip storage unit are being positioned in thestorage case.

(6) The transfer means may include an electric transfer arrangement fortransferring the parameter between the parameter recording means and theparameter receiving means through electric contacts.

(7) The transfer means may include an optical transfer arrangement foroptically transferring the parameter between the parameter recordingmeans and the parameter receiving means.

(8) The parameter transferred from the parameter recording means to theparameter receiving means by the optical transfer arrangement includesoptical information represented by a bar code.

(9) The transfer means may include an acoustic transfer arrangement foracoustically transferring the parameter between the parameter recordingmeans and the parameter receiving means.

(10) The transfer means may include a radio-wave transfer arrangementfor transferring the parameter between the parameter recording means andthe parameter receiving means by way of a radio wave.

(11) The transfer means may include an electromagnetic transferarrangement for electromagnetically transferring the parameter betweenthe parameter recording means and the parameter receiving means.

When the sensor storage unit in which at least one sensor chip is storedor packaged and the measuring instrument are stored in the storage case,at least one parameter of the sensor chip is automatically transferredfrom the parameter recording means applied to or indicated on the sensorstorage unit to the parameter receiving means of the measuringinstrument by the transfer means, and the parameter of the measuringinstrument is automatically calibrated. Therefore, the parameter can becalibrated without the need for loading the sensor chip into themeasuring instrument each time the lot for the sensor chip is changed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a measuring instrument and asensor chip and an enlarged perspective view of the sensor chip in abody fluid component analyzing system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a body fluid component analyzing systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a sensor chip storage unit inthe body fluid component analyzing system according to the embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an electric parameter transferarrangement for use in the body fluid component analyzing systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an optical parameter transferarrangement for use in the body fluid component analyzing systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an acoustic parameter transferarrangement for use in the body fluid component analyzing systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a radio-wave parametertransfer arrangement for use in the body fluid component analyzingsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a contactless parametertransfer arrangement for use in the body fluid component analyzingsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a parameter transferarrangement using, as a medium, a storage case of the body fluidcomponent analyzing system according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the parameter transferarrangement using, as a medium, the storage case of the body fluidcomponent analyzing system according to the present invention, with atransfer function section being detachable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a body fluid component analyzing system according to thepresent invention will be described below with reference to thedrawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show a sensor chip 1 and a measuringinstrument 11 such as a blood glucose level measuring instrument or thelike. The sensor chip 1 has a reactive member 2 for reacting with acomponent such as a blood glucose level or the like and electrodeterminals 3. The measuring instrument 11 has a sensor chip mount 12 suchas a slit or the like for removably mounting the sensor chip 1 therein,a component display unit 13 such as a liquid crystal panel or the likefor digitally displaying a component such as a blood glucose level orthe like, and a switch 14 such as a switch button or the like.

In use, the electrode terminals 3 of the sensor chip 1 are removablymounted in the sensor chip mount 12 of the measuring instrument 11.

After a finger of a hand of the patient is pierced by a piercing tool orthe like to draw a body fluid such as the blood or the like therefrom,the drawn body fluid such as the blood or the like is applied as a dotor drop to the reactive member 2 of the sensor chip 1 mounted in the tipend of the measuring instrument 11. The switch 14 is turned on todigitally display the value of a component such as a blood glucose levelor the like in the body fluid on the component display unit 13.

Details of the body fluid component analyzing system according to thepresent invention will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a general arrangement of the bodyfluid component analyzing system. The body fluid component analyzingsystem performs an automatic calibrating process automatically in astorage case 31 for correcting performance variations due to differentmanufacturing lots of sensor chips 1.

FIG. 3A shows a sensor chip storage unit 22 which is a container with anopenable/closable lid 21 for storing a number of (e.g., 20 to 50) sensorchips 1 of one production lot in a sensor chip storage space 20 formedas an inner space. FIG. 3B shows a sensor chip storage unit 24 having asmall number of (one to several) sensor chips 1 packaged in a package23. A bar code 44 is used to acquire parameters with an opticalparameter transmission arrangement described later on.

The body fluid component analyzing system shown in FIG. 2 may beimplemented with either one of the two sensor chip storage units 22, 24.In this embodiment described below, the sensor chip storage unit 22 isused.

The storage case 31 has a positioning unit 32 for the measuringinstrument 11 and a positioning unit 33 for the sensor chip storage unit22. The two positioning unit 32, 33 are disposed adjacent to each otherin the storage case 31. The measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chipstorage unit 22 are stored and positioned respectively in thepositioning units 32, 33.

A parameter recording means 34 for recording at least one parameterwhich represents calibrating information (a calibrating coefficient forsensor output, etc.) for correcting variations of the performance of thesensor chips 1 stored in the sensor chip storage unit 22 is applied toor indicated on one of the side faces of the sensor chip storage unit22. A parameter receiving means 35 is applied to a confronting side faceof the measuring instrument 11. The parameter stored in the parameterrecording means is common among the sensor chips stored in the storagecase 31. Thus, the parameter is identical in each lot.

When the measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit 22 areinserted and positioned respectively in the positioning units 32, 33,the parameter recording means 34 and the parameter receiving means 35are brought into contact with each other or closely to each other.

A transfer means 36 then automatically transfers the at least oneparameter of the sensor chips 1 from the parameter recording means 34 ofthe sensor chip storage unit 22 to the parameter receiving means 35 ofthe measuring instrument 11, and the transferred parameter is input to aprocessor 15. The processor 15 automatically corrects a performancevariation of the sensor chips 1 due to a production lot difference orthe like, and stores the corrected performance variation into a memory16. As shown in FIG. 2, the measuring instrument 11 comprises, inaddition to other features, a measuring unit 17, a power supply 18, anda buzzer 19 serving as alarm means. For measuring a component of a bodyfluid such as a blood glucose level as described above, the switch 14 isturned on to enable the processor 15 to process characteristics of acomponent of a body fluid that is measured by the measuring unit 17,store the processed characteristics in the memory 16, and digitallydisplay the processed characteristics on the display unit 13. If ameasurement error occurs or the characteristics exceed a referencevalue, then the processor 15 controls the buzzer 19 to give an alarm.

Specific examples of the body fluid component analyzing system accordingto the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.4-8.

A body fluid component analyzing system shown in FIG. 4 employs anelectric transfer arrangement as the transfer means 36. The parameterrecording means 34 of the sensor chip storage unit 22 and the parameterreceiving means 35 of the measuring instrument 11 include at least apair of electric contacts 41, 42. The positioning units 32, 33, whichare cut out along the profiles of the measuring instrument 11 and thesensor chip storage unit 22 respectively are disposed adjacent to eachother in the storage case 31. An insertion unit 37 for inserting thetransfer means 36 therein is formed as a recess in the region acrosswhich the positioning units 32, 33 are disposed adjacent to each other.A detection switch 43 is disposed on the bottom of the positioning unit32, for example. The detection switch 43 serves as a switch fordetecting when the measuring instrument 11 is placed in the storage case31. The detection switch 43 may be any switch such as a mechanicalswitch, an electrical switch, or the like insofar as it can detect whenthe measuring instrument 11 is placed in the storage case 31.

When the measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit 22 areproperly set (inserted and positioned) in the respective positioningunits 32, 33 in the storage case 31, the electric contacts 441, 42 arebrought into contact with each other in the insertion unit 37. Thedetection switch 43 detects when the measuring instrument 11 is set inthe positioning unit 32, for example. Then, the process of automaticallytransferring the parameter from the sensor chip storage unit 22 to themeasuring instrument 11 is performed. The automatic parameter transferprocess is performed successively at certain time intervals (e.g., inevery hour). According to the present invention, simply when themeasuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit 22 are mountedin the storage case 31, the parameter is thereafter automaticallyperiodically transferred from the sensor chip 22 to the measuringinstrument 11. Consequently, as the parameter is calibrated withouttroubling the user (while the user is unconscious), the body fluidcomponent analyzing system is convenient to use. Once the parametercalibrating process is performed, the automatic parameter transfer maybe stopped until the measuring instrument 11 and/or the sensor chipstorage unit 22 is removed (the detection switch 43 also detects whenthe measuring instrument 11 and/or the sensor chip storage unit 22 isremoved), thereby simplifying the entire process.

FIG. 5 shows a body fluid component analyzing system wherein an opticaltransfer arrangement is employed as the transfer means 36. The parameterrecording means 34 of the sensor chip storage unit 22 includes opticallyreadable indicating means such as the bar code 44 (see FIG. 3B) or thelike. The parameter receiving means 35 of the measuring instrument 11 isconstructed as light-reflecting reading means including a light-emittingelement 45 such as an LED or the like and a light-detecting element 46such as a phototransistor or the like.

When the measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit 22 areproperly set in the respective positioning units 32, 33 in the storagecase 31, the bar code 44 is illuminated by the light-emitting element 45across the insertion unit 37, and reflects light which is detected bythe light-detecting element 46. The parameter represented by the barcode 44 is automatically transferred from the sensor chip storage unit22 to the measuring instrument 11 as described above.

Since the bar code 44 can be used by the optical transfer arrangement,it is sufficiently possible to employ the sensor chip storage unit 24which has the small number of (one to several) sensor chips 1 packagedin the package 23, as shown in FIG. 3B, as the sensor chip storage unit.

FIG. 6 shows a body fluid component analyzing system wherein an acoustictransfer arrangement is employed as the transfer means 36. The parameterrecording means 34 of the sensor chip storage unit 22 includes anacoustic oscillating means 47 which oscillates acoustically. Theparameter receiving means 35 of the measuring instrument 11 isconstructed as an acoustic transmitting and receiving means (e.g., meansusing a high-frequency wave such as a telephonic pulse or push-tonewave) 48 for transmitting and receiving acoustic energy.

When the measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit 22 areproperly set in the respective positioning units 32, 33 in the storagecase 31, the acoustic transmitting and receiving means 48 oscillates ahigh-frequency wave, and the acoustic oscillating means 47 is vibratedthereby across the insertion unit 37, whereupon the parameter isautomatically transferred from the sensor chip storage unit 22 to themeasuring instrument 11 in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 7 shows a body fluid component analyzing system wherein aradio-wave transfer arrangement is employed as the transfer means 36.The parameter recording means 34 of the sensor chip storage unit 22includes a radio-wave transmitting means 49, and the parameter receivingmeans 35 of the measuring instrument 11 is constructed as a radio-wavetransmitting and receiving means 50.

When the measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit 22 areproperly set in the respective positioning units 32, 33 in the storagecase 31, the radio-wave transmitting and receiving means 49 sendsradio-wave information to the radio-wave transmitting and receivingmeans 50 across the insertion unit 37 due to the reflection of a radiowave transmitted from the radio-wave transmitting and receiving means50, whereupon the parameter is automatically transferred from the sensorchip storage unit 22 to the measuring instrument 11 in the same manneras described above.

FIG. 8 shows a body fluid component analyzing system wherein acontactless proximity transfer arrangement is employed as the transfermeans 36. A storage region 31 a which is widely open in the storage case31 has no positioning units disposed therein for the measuringinstrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit 22. Therefore, themeasuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit 22 are housedin the storage region 31 a without being positionally limited. Acontactless transfer means 51 such as the radio-wave (electromagnetic)transfer arrangement, the acoustic transfer arrangement, or the like asdescribed above is disposed on the bottom of the storage region 31 a.When the sensor chip storage unit 22 approaches the contactless transfermeans 51, the parameter of the parameter recording means 34 is read bythe contactless transfer means 51, and automatically transferred to theparameter receiving means 35 of the measuring instrument 11. With thisstructure, the measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit22 are not required to be positioned at particular places, but may bemoved within the storage case 31, as indicated by the arrows A, B.However, since both the measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chipstorage unit 22 as they are placed in the storage case 31 have to bedetected by something like the detection switch 43, if the detectionswitch 43 includes a contact-type switch, then it is desirable thateither one of the measuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storageunit 22 be disposed for contact with the detection switch 43.

FIG. 9 shows a body fluid component analyzing system wherein an indirecttransfer arrangement is employed which uses the storage case 31 as amedium. A transmitter 53 and a receiver 54 of an indirect transfer means52 such as the electric transfer arrangement, the optical transferarrangement, the acoustic transfer arrangement, the radio-wave(electromagnetic) transfer arrangement, or the like as described aboveare disposed on the bottoms of the positioning units 32, 33 of themeasuring instrument 11 and the sensor chip storage unit22 in thestorage case 31. When the measuring instrument11 and the sensor chipstorage unit 22 are set in the respective positioning units 32, 33, theparameter recording means 41 and the parameter receiving means 42disposed on the bottoms of the sensor chip storage unit 22 and themeasuring instrument 11 contact or approach the transmitter 53 and thereceiver 54 of the indirect transfer means 52. The parameter of theparameter recording means 41 of the sensor chip storage unit 22 is readby the transmitter 53, and transferred by the indirect transfer means 52to the parameter receiving means 42 of the measuring instrument 11through the receiver 54.

FIG. 10 shows a transfer function section detached from the indirecttransfer arrangement according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. Thetransfer means of the indirect transfer arrangement is detachable fromthe storage case. This structure allows the parameter to be calibratedoutside of the storage case.

Although the embodiments of the present invention has been describedabove, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,but various changes and modifications may be made therein based on thetechnical concept of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiments, both the measuring instrument 11and the sensor chip storage unit are stored in the storage case 31 forautomatically transferring the parameter. However, only the measuringinstrument 11 may be stored (set) in the storage case, and the sensorchip storage unit 22 may be brought close to the storage case toautomatically transfer the parameter from the sensor chip storage unit22 to the measuring instrument 11.

Since the body fluid component analyzing system thus constructedaccording to the present invention is capable of automaticallytransferring the parameter from the sensor chip to the measuringinstrument, the parameter can automatically be calibrated when the lotfor the parameter is changed without the need for the user to replace amemory key or to load the parameter into the measuring instrument eachtime the lot for the parameter is changed.

When the lot of the sensor chip which is a consumable product requiringcalibration at present is changed, information that is required forcalibrating the parameter can reliably be input to the measuringinstrument while the user is unconscious, so that the measuring accuracyof the measuring instrument is maintained. Therefore, the diabeticpatient can measure a blood glucose level at ease.

Since the user is not required to be conscious, the user can use thebody fluid component analyzing system in substantially the same manneras when no parameter is calibrated, so that the diabetic patient is lesstroubled by the use of the system.

In the embodiment which applies the optical measurement, only a bar codeor another code may be placed on the sensor chip storage unit, and hencethe expenses of the sensor chip which is a consumable product are notincreased. As no special device needs to be added to the storage case,the expenses of the storage case are not increased.

1. A body fluid component analyzing system comprising: a sensor chip fordetecting characteristics of at least one component of a body fluid; ameasuring instrument comprising processing means, to which said sensorchip is adapted to be connected, for processing the characteristics ofsaid component; a sensor chip storage unit for storing or packaging saidsensor chip; a storage case for storing at least said measuringinstrument; said sensor chip storage unit comprising parameter recordingmeans for recording at least one parameter used when said processingmeans of said measuring instrument processes the characteristics; saidmeasuring instrument comprising parameter receiving means for receivingsaid at least one parameter recorded at said parameter recording meansof said sensor chip storage unit; and transfer means for transferringsaid at least one parameter recorded at said parameter recording meansto said parameter receiving means of said measuring instrument while atleast said measuring instrument is stored in said storage case.
 2. Abody fluid component analyzing system comprising: a sensor chip fordetecting characteristics of at least one component of a body fluid; ameasuring instrument comprising processing means, to which said sensorchip is adapted to be connected, for processing the characteristics ofsaid component; a sensor chip storage unit for storing or packaging saidsensor chip; a storage case for storing said measuring instrument andsaid sensor chip storage unit; said sensor chip storage unit comprisingparameter recording means for recording at least one parameter used whensaid processing means of said measuring instrument processes thecharacteristics; said measuring instrument comprising parameterreceiving means for receiving said at least one parameter recorded bysaid parameter recording means of said sensor chip storage unit; andtransfer means disposed in said storage case, for reading andtransferring said at least one parameter recorded by said parameterrecording means to said parameter receiving means of said measuringinstrument while said measuring instrument and said sensor chip storageunit are stored in said storage case.
 3. A body fluid componentanalyzing system according to claim 2, wherein said transfer means isdetachably disposed in said storage case.
 4. A body fluid componentanalyzing system according to claim 1, wherein said at least oneparameter represents calibrating information for correcting variationsof the performance of said sensor chip.
 5. A body fluid componentanalyzing system according to claim 1, wherein said transfer meanstransfers said at least one parameter while said measuring instrumentand said sensor chip storage unit are positioned in said storage case.6. A body fluid component analyzing system according to claim 1, whereinsaid transfer means comprises an electric transfer arrangement fortransferring said at least one parameter between said parameterrecording means and said parameter receiving means through electriccontacts.
 7. A body fluid component analyzing system according to claim1, wherein said transfer means comprises an optical transfer arrangementfor optically transferring said at least one parameter between saidparameter recording means and said parameter receiving means.
 8. A bodyfluid component analyzing system according to claim 1, wherein saidtransfer means comprises an acoustic transfer arrangement foracoustically transferring said at least one parameter between saidparameter recording means and said parameter receiving means.
 9. A bodyfluid component analyzing system according to claim 1, wherein saidtransfer means comprises a radio-wave transfer arrangement fortransferring said at least one parameter between said parameterrecording means and said parameter receiving means by way of a radiowave.
 10. A body fluid component analyzing system according to claim 1,wherein said transfer means comprises an electromagnetic transferarrangement for electromagnetically transferring said at least oneparameter between said parameter recording means and said parameterreceiving means.
 11. A body fluid component analyzing system accordingto claim 1, wherein said transfer means is detachably disposed in saidstorage case.
 12. A body fluid component analyzing system according toclaim 2, wherein said at least one parameter represents calibratinginformation for correcting variations of the performance of said sensorchip.
 13. A body fluid component analyzing system according to claim 2,wherein said transfer means transfers said at least one parameter whilesaid measuring instrument and said sensor chip storage unit arepositioned in said storage case.
 14. A body fluid component analyzingsystem according to claim 2, wherein said transfer means comprises anelectric transfer arrangement for transferring said at least oneparameter between said parameter recording means and said parameterreceiving means through electric contacts.
 15. A body fluid componentanalyzing system according to claim 2, wherein said transfer meanscomprises an optical transfer arrangement for optically transferringsaid at least one parameter between said parameter recording means andsaid parameter receiving means.
 16. A body fluid component analyzingsystem according to claim 2, wherein said transfer means comprises anacoustic transfer arrangement for acoustically transferring said atleast one parameter between said parameter recording means and saidparameter receiving means.
 17. A body fluid component analyzing systemaccording to claim 2, wherein said transfer means comprises a radio-wavetransfer arrangement for transferring said at least one parameterbetween said parameter recording means and said parameter receivingmeans by way of a radio wave.
 18. A body fluid component analyzingsystem according to claim 2, wherein said transfer means comprises anelectromagnetic transfer arrangement for electromagneticallytransferring said at least one parameter between said parameterrecording means and said parameter receiving means.
 19. A methodcomprising positioning a measuring instrument and a sensor chip storageunit relative to one another to permit transfer of at least oneparameter from the sensor chip storage unit to the measuring instrument,with a sensor chip which detects characteristics of at least onecomponent of a body fluid being positioned in the sensor chip storageunit and being adapted to be mounted on the measuring instrument, andthe measuring instrument comprising processing means to which saidsensor chip is connected, when said sensor chip is mounted on themeasuring instrument, for processing the characteristics of thecomponent; transferring the at least one parameter from the sensor chipstorage unit to the measuring instrument; and using the at least oneparameter transferred from the sensor chip storage unit to the measuringinstrument when processing the characteristics of the at least onecomponent of the body fluid after said sensor chip is mounted on themeasuring instrument.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein saidat least one parameter is transferred from parameter recording means forrecording said at least one parameter, said parameter recording meansbeing provided at said sensor chip storage unit.
 21. A method accordingto claim 20, wherein said at least one parameter is transferred toparameter receiving means for receiving said at least one parameterrecorded at said parameter recording means, said parameter receivingmeans being provided at said measuring instrument.
 22. A methodaccording to claim 19, wherein said at least one parameter istransferred to parameter receiving means for receiving said at least oneparameter, said parameter receiving means being provided at saidmeasuring instrument.
 23. A method according to claim 19, furthercomprising positioning the measuring instrument in a storage case beforetransferring the at least one parameter from the sensor chip storageunit to the measuring instrument.
 24. A method according to claim 23,further comprising positioning the sensor chip storage unit in thestorage case before transferring the at least one parameter from thesensor chip storage unit to the measuring instrument.